Domestic Cooking of Muscle Foods: Impact on Composition of Nutrients and Contaminants

Search for Biomarkers for the LC-ESI-QqQ Determination of Phenoxymethylpenicillin Treatment in Raw or Cooked Chicken Meat Samples

The high standards required for food safety make it necessary to trace unambiguously raw or cooked food products coming from medicated animals. Nevertheless, considering the lability of β-lactams and their degradation, the detection of the presence of antibiotics in meat either raw or submitted to a cooking process is not easily affordable. To achieve this goal, an evaluation of the effect of common domestic cooking procedures, such as boiling and grilling, on the fate of phenoxymethylpenicillin (PENV) residues was performed. Finally, in this work, the penilloic acid from PENV (MET02) and the corresponding penicilloic acid (PENV-HYDRO) are suggested as biomarkers. These compounds present the highest relative abundances 5 days after the treatment was stopped (5PT) and show enough thermal stability to be considered suitable biomarker candidates for the pharmacological treatment instead of the parent compound. Nevertheless, the peaks corresponding to MET02 are significantly more intense than those for PENV-HYDRO, which makes preferential the use of MET02 to perform the control of samples.

The Risk of Oral Cancer and the High Consumption of Thermally Processed Meat Containing Mutagenic and Carcinogenic Compounds

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the consumption of heat-processed meat as a direct human carcinogen and the consumption of red meat as a probable carcinogen. Mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds present in meat dishes include, among others, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). These compounds can cause the development of gastrointestinal cancer. Oral cancer is one of the world's research priorities due to the ever-increasing incidence rate. However, the effect of diet on oral cancer is still a poorly recognized issue. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the risk of oral cancer and dietary ingredients with a particular emphasis on red meat and thermally processed meat. This study was conducted among patients with oral cancer in 2022 and 2023. The shortened standardized Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and a multivariate regression statistical analysis were used. The high consumption of red meat in general and thermally processed meat, especially smoked, fried, roasted and boiled, increases the risk of oral cavity cancer. Limiting the consumption of meat products and modifying the methods of preparing meat dishes may reduce exposure to carcinogenic compounds from the diet and thus reduce the risk of developing oral cancer.

Effect of cooking methods on nutritional value and microbial safety of edible rhinoceros beetle grubs (Oryctes sp.)

Although edible rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes sp.) larvae are popularly consumed in many countries worldwide, they are prepared using different methods such as boiling, roasting, toasting, and deep-frying, whose effect on nutritional value and microbial safety is scarcely known. Here we investigated the effect of these methods on the nutritional value and microbial safety of Oryctes sp. larvae. Our hypothesis was that cooking the grubs using the four methods had no effect on their nutritional content and microbial loads and diversity. The grubs were analyzed for proximate composition, and fatty and amino acid profiles using standard chemical procedures; and microbial safety using standard culturing procedures. Deep-frying reduced protein and carbohydrate content, but elevated fat content. Boiling lowered ash content, but increased fibre and carbohydrate composition. Roasting and toasting increased protein and ash contents, respectively. Forty fatty acids were detected in the larvae, of which levels of only five were not significantly affected by cooking method, while the levels of the others were differentially affected by the different cooking methods. Amino acid profiles and levels were largely comparable across treatments, but lysine and arginine were higher in all cooked grubs than raw form. All the cooking methods eliminated Enterobacteriaceae, Shigella sp. and Campylobacter sp. from the grubs. Except boiling, all methods reduced total viable count to safe levels. Salmonella sp. were only eliminated by toasting and roasting; while boiling promoted growth of yeast and moulds. Staphylococcus aureus levels exceeded safety limits in all the cooking methods. These findings offer guidance on the type of method to use in preparing the grubs for desired nutritional and safety outcomes.

Red Meat Heating Processes, Toxic Compounds Production and Nutritional Parameters Changes: What about Risk-Benefit?

The heating process is a crucial step that can lead to the formation of several harmful chemical compounds in red meat such as heterocyclic aromatic amines, N-Nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and acrylamide. Meat has high nutritional value, providing essential amino acids, bioactive compounds and several important micronutrients which can also be affected by heating processes. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the effects of different heating processes on both the safety and nutritional parameters of cooked red meat. The most-used heating processes practices were taken into consideration in order to develop a risk-benefit scenario for each type of heating process and red meat.

Effects of Sous-Vide on Quality, Structure and Flavor Characteristics of Tilapia Fillets

To investigate the effects of traditional high-temperature cooking and sous-vide cooking on the quality of tilapia fillets, muscle microstructure, texture, lipid oxidation, protein structure, and volatile compounds were analyzed. In comparison with samples subjected to traditional high-temperature cooking, sous-vide-treated samples exhibited less protein denaturation, a secondary structure dominated by α-helices, a stable and compact structure, a significantly higher moisture content, and fewer gaps in muscle fibers. The hardness of the sous-vide-treated samples was higher than that of control samples, and the extent of lipid oxidation was significantly reduced. The sous-vide cooking technique resulted in notable changes in the composition and relative content of volatile compounds, notably leading to an increase in the presence of 1-octen-3-ol, α-pinene, and dimethyl sulfide, and a decrease in the levels of hexanal, D-limonene, and methanethiol. Sous-vide treatment significantly enhanced the structural stability, hardness, and springiness of muscle fibers in tilapia fillets and reduced nutrient loss, enriched flavor, and mitigated effects on taste and fishy odor.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as a functional food: Is it beneficial or not?

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has attracted great attention in recent years as a popular class of functional food that is broadly used. It refers to a group of geometric and positional isomers of linoleic acid (LA) with a conjugated double bond. The main natural sources of CLA are dairy products, beef and lamb, whereas only trace amounts occur naturally in plant lipids. CLA has been shown to improve various health issues, having effects on obesity, inflammatory, anti-carcinogenicity, atherogenicity, immunomodulation, and osteosynthesis. Also, compared to studies on humans, many animal researches reveal more positive benefits on health. CLA represents a nutritional avenue to improve lifestyle diseases and metabolic syndrome. Most of these effects are attributed to the two major CLA isomers [conjugated linoleic acid cis-9,trans-11 isomer (c9,t11), and conjugated linoleic acid trans-10,cis-12 isomer (t10,c12)], and their mixture (CLA mix). In contrast, adverse effects of CLA have been also reported, such as glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and induction of colon carcinogenesis in humans, as well as milk fat inhibition in ruminants, lowering chicken productivity, influencing egg quality and altering growth performance in fish. This review article aims to discuss the health benefits of CLA as a nutraceutical supplement and highlight the possible mechanisms of action that may contribute to its outcome. It also outlines the feasible adverse effects of CLA besides summarizing the recent peer-reviewed publications on CLA to ensure its efficacy and safety for proper application in humans.

Prenatal and concurrent blood mercury concentrations and associations with IQ in canadian preschool children

BACKGROUND

Prenatal and childhood mercury (Hg) exposures have been associated with negative impacts on child neurodevelopment. It is unclear if associations persist at the low Hg exposures typical in Western countries.

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between prenatal/childhood blood Hg concentrations and child IQ in Canadian male and female children while considering the potential modifying role of prenatal fish consumption.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals study. Hg was measured in first trimester (n = 527), cord (n = 430), and child (at 3-4 years of age, n = 355) blood and examined sex-stratified associations between blood Hg and children's Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), Verbal IQ (VIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ), and General Language Composite (GLC) scores (assessed with WPPSI-III). Prenatal Hg analyses were further stratified by prenatal fish consumption (low: 0-2, moderate: 3-7, or high: ≥8 times/month).

RESULTS

Higher cord blood Hg concentrations were associated with lower PIQ (ß = -3.27; 95%CI: 6.44, -0.09) in male children with the lowest prenatal fish consumption. Progressively stronger positive associations were observed with PIQ in male children for moderate (ß = 1.08; 95%CI: 0.10, 2.26) and high (ß = 3.07; 95%CI: 1.95, 4.19) prenatal fish consumption. Cord blood Hg concentrations were positively associated with female children's FSIQ (ß = 1.29; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.81) and PIQ (ß = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.19, 2.83); however, when stratified only in the highest fish consumption subgroup. Among female children, higher child blood Hg concentrations were associated with an approximately 1-point increase in FSIQ, VIQ, and GLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal exposure to low levels of Hg was associated with lower PIQ scores in male children with low prenatal fish intake. Positive associations between cord and child blood Hg concentrations and IQ were primarily observed in female children and may be due to beneficial effects of prenatal fish intake.

Assessing the Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Grilled Beef Steak and Beef Patty with Different Charcoals by the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) Method with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

This study investigated the effects of different charcoals on the occurrence of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in grilled beef steaks and beef patties. Seven different charcoals were used as follows: from oak wood (C1), from orange wood (C2), from Valonia oak wood (C3), from Marabu wood (C4), extruded charcoal from beech wood (C5), from coconut shells (C6), and from hazelnut shells (C7). The grilling times for each charcoal type were 6 min for the beef patties and 7 min for the beef steaks, until the internal temperature reached at least 74°C. The total concentration of 16 PAHs (PAH16) in beef steaks grilled with C1 (35.75 μg/kg) and C7 (36.39 μg/kg) was higher than that of C3 (23.80 μg/kg) and C6 (24.48 μg/kg; p<0.05). The highest amounts of PAH16 (216.40 μg/kg) were determined in the beef patty samples grilled using C5 (p<0.05). The summation of benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene, referred to as PAH4, was not detected in any of the beef steaks, whereas it was determined in the beef patties grilled with C2 (7.72 μg/kg) and C5 (22.95 μg/kg; p<0.05). The PAH16 concentrations of the beef patty samples in each charcoal group were significantly higher compared to the beef steaks (p<0.05). To avoid the formation of high PAH levels, the use of extruded charcoal and hazelnut shell charcoal should therefore be avoided when charcoal grilling beef steaks and beef patties, and low-fat meat products should be preferred.

Correlation between physicochemical properties and volatile compound profiles in tilapia muscles subjected to four different thermal processing techniques

This work studied the physicochemical properties and odor profiles of tilapia muscles after exposure to four types of thermal processing methods: microwaving, roasting, boiling, or steaming. The effect of thermal processing on textural properties followed a pH-water state-water content-tissue microstructure-mass loss-textural properties route, expressed in the following manner: microwaving > roasting > steaming ≈ boiling. After processing, muscle pH increased from 6.59 ± 0.10 to 6.73 ± 0.04-7.01 ± 0.06, and hardness changed from 1468.49 ± 180.77 g to 452.76 ± 46.94-10723.66 ± 2898.46 g. Gas chromatography-based E-nose analysis confirmed that these methods had significant odor fingerprint effects on the tilapia muscles. Finally, the combined analysis of headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, statistical MetaboAnalyst, and odor activity value showed that the microwaved, roasted, steamed, and boiled tilapia muscles had, respectively, three (hexanal, nonanal, and decanal), four (2-methyl-butanal, 3-methyl-butanal, decanal, and trimethylamine), one (2-methyl-butanal), and one (decanal) relatively important volatile compounds.

Bioaccumulation and risk mitigation of legacy and novel perfluoroalkyl substances in seafood: Insights from trophic transfer and cooking method

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have widespread application in industrial and civil areas due to their unique physical and chemical properties. With the increasingly stringent regulations of legacy PFAS, various novel alternatives have been developed and applied to meet the market demand. Legacy and novel PFAS pose potential threats to the ecological safety of coastal areas, however, little is known about their accumulation and transfer mechanism, especially after cooking treatment. This study investigated the biomagnification and trophic transfer characteristics of PFAS in seafood from the South China Sea, and assessed their health risks after cooking. Fifteen target PFAS were all detected in the samples, of which perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was dominant with concentrations ranging from 0.76 to 4.12 ng/g ww. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) > 1 were observed for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acid (F-53B), indicating that these compounds experienced trophic magnification in the food web. The effects of different cooking styles on PFAS occurrence were further explored and the results suggested that ΣPFAS concentrations increased in most organisms after baking, while ΣPFAS amounts decreased basically after boiling and frying. Generally, there is a low health risk of exposure to PFAS when cooked seafood is consumed. This work provided quantitative evidence that cooking methods altered PFAS in seafood. Further, suggestions to mitigate the health risks of consuming PFAS-contaminated seafood were provided.

A qualitative study among youth in Malaysia: What drives the purchase of roasted chicken products by young people seeking a better quality of life?

This study was aimed to assess internal and external factors related to youths' consumption behavior towards roasted chicken products. Qualitative interview was conducted with 30 selected respondents aged 15-20, 21-25 and 26 to 30 from a university and two high schools at Serdang, Selangor. An audio recorder was used to gather qualitative data over two months. A thematic content analysis was applied to identify the needed information, comprising of transcription, coding and theme development. Results disclosed that respondents in this study implied physiological attributes (delicious, tastiness, crispy texture, good flavour, brown colour, smoky aroma, own eating preference), personality attributes (availability, good hygiene, health concern), reference groups (friends, family members) and culture (family lifestyle, early life feeding behaviour) as significant factors that drive their purchase of roasted chicken products. This study's results also disclosed that the most prioritized factors were brown colour, health concern, friends and family lifestyle. The results of this study further identify physiological and personality attributes as internal factors, and reference groups and culture as external factors. Hence, this study concluded that internal factors (physiological, personality) and external factors (reference groups, culture) as essential factors in influencing youths' purchase of roasted chicken products. Thus, this study's outcome is beneficial for the vendors to boost their sales as well as promoting better ways of selecting foods to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases amongst the youth in Malaysia.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Roasted Pork Meat and the Effect of Dried Fruits on PAH Content

Diet is one of the main factors affecting human health. The frequent consumption of heat-treated meat has been classified as both directly carcinogenic to humans and as a risk factor, especially in the case of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Thermally processed meat may contain harmful muta- and carcinogenic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, there are natural ways to reduce the risk of diet-related cancers by reducing the formation of PAHs in meat. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in PAH levels in pork loin dishes prepared by stuffing the meat with dried fruits (prunes, apricots and cranberries) and baking it in a roasting bag. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) was used to conduct a quantitative analysis of seven PAHs. Recovery results ranged from 61 to 96%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.003 to 0.006 ng/g, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 to 0.02 ng/g. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to confirm the presence of PAHs in food. The total PAH content of the roasted pork loin was 7.4 ng/g. This concentration decreased by 35%, 48% and 58% when the meat was roasted with apricots, prunes and cranberries, respectively. The cranberries also inhibited the formation of benzo(a)pyrene to the greatest extent. Thermally treating meat stuffed with dry fruits may be a simple and effective way to prepare foods with reduced levels of mutagens and carcinogens belonging to PAHs, and thus reduce the risk of cancer.

Cooking methods effectively alter perfluoroalkyl substances and nutrients in cultured and wild bullfrogs

The ubiquitous distribution of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) poses a threat to the health of aquatic organisms and humans. Bullfrogs are considered a popular aquatic food product in South China, providing high protein and tasty cuisine; however bullfrogs have been shown to contain significant concentrations of PFASs. However, the risk-benefit ratios of PFASs and nutrient contents in cooked bullfrogs are not well understood. PFASs and nutrients were investigated in raw and cooked specimens of cultured and wild bullfrogs in this study. Novel PFASs showed higher detection levels and accumulation in wild bullfrogs than in cultured bullfrogs. Potential factors such as fat and fatty acid ratio affected PFASs accumulation in different tissues and by different cooking methods of bullfrogs. All cooking methods can reduce PFASs in edible tissues while significantly enhancing the nutritive value index (NVI) compared to raw bullfrogs. Steaming was the most effective way to reduce PFASs (rate of reduction was over 66%) and resulted in a lower risk of contributing to arteriosclerosis than other cooking methods assessed by atherogenicity index (AI) values. Cultured bullfrogs instead of wild bullfrogs were recommended for human consumption, and steaming was regarded as a better cooking method in terms of risk-benefit concerns. Overall, this work provides quantitative analysis of cooking methods that alter PFASs and nutrients in bullfrogs.

Does drying preserve the nutritional quality of small freshwater fish without excessive concentrations of heavy metals?

The potential of drying to preserve the nutritional quality of a small freshwater fish Henicorhynchus siamensis was assessed. Drying time to reach moisture content and water activity of 10 g/100g and 0.65 ranged from 55 h at 50 °C to 20 h at 80 °C, respectively. Dried fish powder is rich in macronutrients (protein, lipid and ash) and essential minerals (calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc) due to water removal and despite lipid loss. It is still rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids although docosahexaenoic acid was reduced except at 60°C. Vitamin A was rapidly degraded and manganese was concentrated at high level. However, mean score for the nutritional adequacy of the 15 nutrients (SAIN) and score of nutrients to limit (LIM) show that the fish powder can be used as a food ingredient for example in the formulation of fish snack or instant soup. With the abundance of Henicorhynchus siamensis, dried fish powder from this species could contribute to food security in Cambodia, especially vulnerable people in rural areas.

Goose Meat as a Source of Dietary Manganese-A Systematic Review

Manganese is a trace element with essential physiological functions that should be supplied to animals and humans through diet. Goose meat is prevalent in many regions of the world. Therefore, the aim of the study was a systematic review (PRISMA statement, 1980-2022) of the content of Mn in raw and cooked goose meat and their relation to the recommended intake at the level of adequate intake (AI) and the nutrient reference values-requirements (NRV-R). The literature analysis shows that the content of Mn in goose meat depends on the breed, type of muscles, the presence of skin, and the cooking method used. AI level recommendations for Mn intake range from 0.003 to 5.50 mg/day, depending on the country, age, and gender. Consumption by adults (regardless of sex) of 100 g of domestic or wild goose meat covers the daily AI per Mn in various percentages, depending on the type of muscles (more Mn in leg muscles), presence of skin (more Mn in skinless muscles), and thermal treatment (pan fried with oil, grilled, and cooked meat contains more). Placing information on the Mn content in goose meat and the percentage of NRV-R on the packaging may be valuable information for the consumer in making food choices to diversify the diet. There are few studies on the content of Mn in goose meat. Therefore, it is reasonable to conduct research in this area.

Multiresidues Multiclass Analytical Methods for Determination of Antibiotics in Animal Origin Food: A Critical Analysis

Veterinary drugs are widely used to prevent and treat diseases. The European Union has forbidden the use of antibiotics as growth promoters since 2006. Its abusive use leads to the presence of antibiotic residues (AR) in foods of animal origin which is associated with antibiotic resistance. The monitoring of AR in food intended for human consumption is of utmost importance to assure Food Safety. A systematic bibliographic review was carried out on the analytical methodologies, published in 2013, for the determination of AR in foods of animal origin. The food processing effect in the AR detected in animal products is also addressed. However, there is a preference for multiresidues multiclass methods, i.e., methodologies that allow determining simultaneously different classes of antibiotics, which is still a challenge for researchers. The wide diversity of physico-chemical properties of these drugs is an obstacle to achieving excellent analytical performance for a vast number of molecules analyzed concurrently. New techniques in sample preparation continue to be developed in order to obtain a compromise between good recoveries and extracts without interferences (clean extracts). The most widely used analytical methodology for the determination of AR is liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. However, the current trend is focused on the use of powerful high-resolution MS detectors such as Time of Flight and Orbitrap with modern chromatographic systems. Cooking time and temperature control are the key processing conditions influencing the reduction of AR in foods.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Plant Polyphenol Extracts and Their Combined Effect with Flaxseed on Raw and Cooked Breast Muscle Fatty Acid Content, Lipid Health Indices and Oxidative Stability in Slow-Growing Sasso Chickens

Adding flaxseed was found to decrease oxidative stability in feed and increase the antioxidant needs of chicken. This has also been associated with a decrease in the nutritional value and oxidative stability of meat if sufficient dietary antioxidants are not included. Furthermore, dietary flaxseed has been explored in fast-growing chickens as such studies are limited with slow-growing chickens. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding plant polyphenol extracts as an antioxidant alongside flaxseed on fatty acid content, oxidative stability, and lipid health indices in breast muscle of slow-growing Sasso T451A dual-purpose chicken. A total of 126 chickens assigned to six groups (seven replicates of three) were fed on NC (control and no antioxidants), FS (75 g flaxseed and no antioxidants), VE8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg vitamin E), TS8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Thymus schimperi), DA8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Dodonaea angustifolia) and CD8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Curcuma domestica) extract per kg diet. Feeding on CD8 and VE8 in raw and TS8, CD8 and VE8 diets in cooked breast muscle increased (p < 0.05) the C22:6n − 3 (DHA) and C20:5n − 3 (EPA) contents compared to the FS diet. Feeding FS increased (p < 0.05) the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in breast muscle, whereas TS8 in cooked and raw and CD8 and DA8 diets in raw breast muscle decreased it (p < 0.05). No added benefit was observed in feeding VE8 over plant extracts in terms of improving fatty acid composition and lipid health indices and reducing lipid oxidation in breast meat.

Mineral Content (Essential and Toxic Elements) of Squid Flesh Is Affected by Maceration with Sodium Salts and Vacuum-Cooking

Maceration with sodium salts is applied to irmprove water holding capacity in squid-based products. The aim of this work was to determine how the mineral content of squid flesh is affected by maceration and further vacuum-cooking. Atlantic squids (Loligo vulgaris) from two fisheries (FAO areas No. 47 and 34) were sampled. Macrominerals (g/100 g) present in raw flesh were Na, Mg, P, S, K and Ca, while microminerals accounting for >1 mg/kg were Zn, Si, Sr, Fe, Cu, Al and Mn. As a result of maceration (3 + 1.5% w: w NaCl+ Na citrate) and vacuum-cooking (at 65 °C for 20 min), some squid minerals was removed. The levels of Cd and As were reduced by half, while Na content increased from 0.28 to 0.49 g/100 g. Maceration with sodium salts generally led to minerals leaching (except for Na) with the medium. Further cooking produced additional losses of most of the minerals present in macerated squid (except Pb and Cd). Squid microminerals were hardly removed with the cooking juice. The consumption of macerated-cooked squid covered > 10% of the recommended dietary intake for Na, P, Zn, Mg and Mn, while health risks were almost negligible and mainly concerned Cd (up to 14% of the probable tolerable weekly intake). The combination of both treatments involves certain loss of most of the essential minerals but also contributes to reducing toxicological risks related to mineral intake through squid products.

Safety and quality assessment of street-vended barbecue chicken samples from Faisalabad, Pakistan

The current study was designed to assess the safety and quality status of street-vended barbecue chicken samples. The samples were collected from four regions of Faisalabad city: Ghulam Mohammad Abad (R₁), Jhang Road (R₂), Sargodha Road (R₃), and Satiana Road (R₄); and compared with the self-prepared barbecue chicken sample (R₀). Purposely, all the collected samples were subjected to assess the quality aspects by physicochemical analyses. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that moisture content varied from 54% to 60%, crude protein 26.97% to 32.87%, crude fat 7.25% to 9.00%, crude ash 1.61% to 1.72%, pH 5.60 to 6.30, free fatty acid value 1.00% to 1.39%, and peroxide value 0.63 to 0.84 meq/Kg. Results pertaining to the enumeration of total microbial load and total coliform count exhibit 2.39-5.17 and 1.20-3.20 log cfu/g, respectively. The samples were assessed for heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, and Fe) by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration of highly toxic metals Pb and Cd was found to be much higher than recommended value as they ranged from 1.90 to 3.70 mg/kg for Pb and 0.10 to 0.90 mg/kg for Cd. However, the level of essential metals (Fe and Zn) in barbecue chicken samples ranged from 67.10 to 180 and 8.30 to 35.80 mg/kg which was much higher than their safe limits for Fe (15 ppm) and Zn (5 ppm), respectively. The study concludes that the consumption of street-vended barbecue chicken possesses to be a serious public health risk for consumers.

Application of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection for Non-Polar Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines and Acridine Derivatives Determination in Pork Loin Roasted in a Roasting Bag

Heat treatment of meat can lead to the formation of carcinogenic organic compounds. The influence of dried fruits on the formation of non-polar heterocyclic aromatic amines (carbolines) and nitrogen derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (azaarenes) in roasted pork loin was elucidated. Two hundred grams of fruit per 1 kg of meat were used as stuffing. Carbolines, derivatives of pyridoimidazole and pyridoindole, and azaarenes (benzoacridines and dibenzoacridines) were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The total concentration of six δ-, γ- and α-carbolines in roasted pork loin was 1.3 ng/g. This content decreased by 64%, 58%, and 54% in pork loin stuffed with prunes, apricots, and cranberries, respectively. Concentrations of β-carbolines (harmane and norharmane) increased under the influence of added fruits. The norharmane content increased the most, from 2.2 ng/g in the control sample to 12.3 ng/g in meat prepared with cranberries. The harmane content increased from 1.0 ng/g to 3.6 ng/g in meat with prunes. The total concentration of azaarenes (two benzoacridines and dibenzo[a,c]acridine), which was close to 0.1 ng/g, decreased in dishes with prunes and apricots by 54% and 12%, respectively. Azaarenes were not found in samples of meat stuffed with cranberries.

Depletion of Amoxicillin Residue in Edible Tissue of Broiler Chicken by Different Cooking Methods

A new simple isocratic, RP-HPLC method, was developed and validated to estimate amoxicillin (Amox) residue depletion caused by different cooking methods in broiler chicken tissue. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) were 1.32 and 4.00 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. The calibration plot was linear over the concentration range of 0.05–250 µg mL⁻¹, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) values were less than 8%. The effects of various cooking methods (boiling, pan-frying, and microwaving) on residues of Amox were conducted under different combinations of temperature and time. Moreover, the heat stability of Amox standard solutions under boiling water and cooking oil at 100°C was investigated. Amox remained stable for 5–15 min in boiling water, the concentration was significantly reduced in the range of 70–87%, and additional new peaks of the degraded compounds appeared at 30–45 min. In pan-frying, the residue remained stable for 15 min at 100°C and then depleted to 81–92% after 30–45 min. Due to dehydration, the residue concentration showed an increment from 101 to 112% at 150°C. The total decomposition of Amox was observed at 200°C, 30–45 min due to high temperature and long-time effects. In microwave cooking using 500 W, 0.5–2 min, the depletion was insignificant. This study shows that sufficient cooking temperature and time can have a significant effect on the depletion of Amox residues.

Effects of Green Tea Marinade in the Bioaccessibility of Tonalide and Benzophenone 3 in Cooked European Seabass

Fish consumption is an indicator of human exposure to personal care products (PCP) such as tonalide (AHTN) and benzophenone 3 (BP3). Although most fish consumed is cooked, the impact of cooking procedures on PCP levels is difficult to evaluate. Hence, the aim of this work was to provide thorough information on the stability and bioaccessibility of AHTN and BP3 upon cooking and in vitro digestion. A green tea (Camellia sinensis) marinade, rich in polyphenol, was used as mitigating strategy to reduce these contaminants. Roasting and frying reduced AHTN and BP3 levels in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) spiked samples. Additionally, the green tea marinade promoted a reduction of up to 47% AHTN and 35% BP3. Bioaccessibility of AHTN was higher (up to 45%), and increased with the use of green tea marinades. BP3 showed a bioaccessibility below 19% in all cooked samples. Overall, a decrease in PCP levels was observed after cooking; this decrease was even more pronounced when marination was previously used. However, this decrease is cancelled out by the fact that the bioaccessible fraction of the contaminants increases in an inverse way; therefore, none of these processes can be considered a mitigating alternative.

Effect of heat treatments on the physicochemical and sensory properties of the longissimus thoracis muscle in unweaned Limousin calves

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of methods of heat treatment on selected quality parameters of longissimus thoracis muscle of Limousin calves, subjected to grilling, steaming, and sous vide cooking. The type of heat treatment did not significantly affect shear force or water activity. Cooking loss in the grilled and steamed meat was significantly higher than in the sous vide. While the content of vitamin E was significantly lower in the cooked meat, it was retained to the greatest degree in the grilled meat and least in the steamed meat. The TBARS index significantly increased during all cooking methods with the highest level in steamed meat. The sensory analysis revealed a preference for the sous vide and grilled meat, while the steamed meat received the lowest scores. Although veal is commonly assumed to be highly nutritious and palatable, its quality can be significantly influenced by the type of heat treatment.

Consumption of Thermally Processed Meat Containing Carcinogenic Compounds (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines) versus a Risk of Some Cancers in Humans and the Possibility of Reducing Their Formation by Natural Food Additives-A Literature Review

(1) Background: Thermal treatment of high-protein food may lead to the formation of mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds, e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines. Frequent consumption of processed meat was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as directly carcinogenic for humans. (2) Methods: A literature review was carried out based on a search of online databases for articles on consuming thermally processed meat containing carcinogenic compounds versus a risk of cancers in humans published between 2001 and 2021. (3) Results: A review of the current literature on the participation of PAHs and HAA in the formation of certain neoplasms indicates a positive relationship between diet and the incidences of many cancers, especially colon cancer. A simple way to obtain dishes with reduced contents of harmful compounds is the use of spices and vegetables as meat additives. These seasonings are usually rich in antioxidants that influence the mechanism of HAA and PAH synthesis in food. (4) Conclusions: As there is a growing risk of a cancer tendency because of exposing humans to PAHs and HAAs, it is extremely vital to find a simple way to limit carcinogenic compound synthesis in a processed proteinaceous food. Disseminating the knowledge about the conditions for preparing dishes with a reduced content of carcinogenic compounds could become a vital element of cancer prevention programs.

The effect of in-package cold plasma on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in charcoal-grilled beef steak with different oils or fats

In-package cold plasma (ICP) pretreatment is an emerging non-thermal food processing methods. In the current study, ICP on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in grilled beef steaks with different oils and fats was evaluated, the influence of prolonged storage periods (1 d, 2 d) of raw meat after ICP pretreatment on the PAH inhibitory effect was investigated. The results showed that sunflower seed oil had an inhibitory effect on PAH formation; the groups with ICP pretreatment showed a significant decrease in PAH content (p < 0.05) according to the UHPLC results, inhibitory rates were dependent on the original contents in each group without ICP pretreatment, ranging from 35% to 96%. The optimal condition was grilling immediately after ICP pretreatment, and the results indicated that the nonpolar radical scavenging activity (RSA) of ungrilled meat was negatively correlated with PAH8 contents according the DPPH assay, while ICP pretreatment enhanced the RSA_oil of raw meat.

Enhancement of nutritional value of fried fish using an artificial intelligence approach

Frying affects the nutritional quality of fish detrimentally. In this study, using Catla catla and mustard oil, experiments were carried out in varying temperatures (140-240 °C), times (5-20 min), and oil amounts (25-100 ml/kg of fish) which established drastic reduction of 44.97% and 99.40% for polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/saturated fatty acids (SFA) and index of atherogenicity (IA) profile, respectively. Artificial neural network (ANN) was implemented successfully to provide an association between the independent inputs with dependent outputs (values of R² were 0.99 and 0.98; RMSE were 0.038 and 0.046; and performance were 0.038 and 0.067 for PUFA/SFA and IA, respectively) by exhaustive search of various algorithms and activation functions available in literature. ANN model-based meta-heuristic, stochastic optimization formalisms, genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), were applied to optimize the combination of cooking parameters for improving the nutritional quality of food which improved the nutritional value by maximizing the PUFA/SFA profile up to 63.05% and minimizing the IA profile to 99.64%. Multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) was also employed to tune the inputs by maintaining a balance between the contrasting outputs and enhance the overall food value simultaneously with multi-objective (beneficial for health, economic, and environment-friendly) proposal. MOGA was able to improve the PUFA/SFA profile up to 44.76% and reduce the IA profile to 92.94% concurrently with the reduction of wastage of culinary media and energy consumption, following the optimized cooking condition (118.92 °C, 6.06 min, 40 ml oil/kg of fish).

Biological Properties of Vitamins of the B-Complex, Part 1: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5

This review summarizes the current knowledge on essential vitamins B₁, B₂, B₃, and B₅. These B-complex vitamins must be taken from diet, with the exception of vitamin B₃, that can also be synthetized from amino acid tryptophan. All of these vitamins are water soluble, which determines their main properties, namely: they are partly lost when food is washed or boiled since they migrate to the water; the requirement of membrane transporters for their permeation into the cells; and their safety since any excess is rapidly eliminated via the kidney. The therapeutic use of B-complex vitamins is mostly limited to hypovitaminoses or similar conditions, but, as they are generally very safe, they have also been examined in other pathological conditions. Nicotinic acid, a form of vitamin B₃, is the only exception because it is a known hypolipidemic agent in gram doses. The article also sums up: (i) the current methods for detection of the vitamins of the B-complex in biological fluids; (ii) the food and other sources of these vitamins including the effect of common processing and storage methods on their content; and (iii) their physiological function.

Improvement strategies for quality defects and oxidation of pale, soft and exudative (PSE)-like chicken meat: effects of domestic cooking and core temperature

In practice, this study will help to better elucidate the relationship between oxidation profile and meat quality, and provide consumers with recommendations for consuming PSE-like meat.

The effect of onion and garlic on non-polar heterocyclic aromatic amines (α-, β-, γ- and δ-carbolines) formation in pan-fried meat and gravy

Thermal treatment of protein-rich food can lead to the formation of biologically active heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). One of the methods to learn how to reduce the content as well as the influence of these compounds on heath is the study of factors inhibiting their synthesis. In the current investigation, the effect of onion and garlic on the formation of six possibly carcinogenic non-polar HAAs (α-, γ- and δ-carbolines) and two co-mutagenic β-carbolines (harmane and norharmane) was evaluated by comparing their contents in meat and gravy samples obtained from pan-fried pork dishes prepared in the presence and absence of these vegetables. Carbolines were isolated from food samples by solid phase extraction. The quantitative analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentrations of individual compounds in dishes prepared without added vegetables ranged from 0.02 ng g^-1 (3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5 H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole; Trp-P-1) to 10.1 ng g^-1 of meat (2-amino-9 H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole; AαC). Onion (30 g/100 g of meat) and garlic (15 g/100 g of meat) lowered the total content (in meat and gravy) of the α-, δ- and γ-carbolines in the range from 52% to 87%. In contrast, onion caused an increase in the norharmane concentration both in meat and gravy. The percentage of carbolines in the gravies (assuming that their total content in meat and gravy is 100%) was higher in dishes prepared with onion and garlic than in dishes without these seasonings.

Impact of various types of heat processing on the energy and nutritional values of goose breast meat

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of various types of heat processing used by consumers (water bath cooking WBC, oven convection roasting OCR, grilling G, pan frying PF) on the energy and the nutritional value of goose breast meat (with and without skin). The material used in the study comprised 72 breast muscles cut from carcasses of 17-wk-old White Koluda geese. The energy value (MJ), the chemical composition (water, fat, protein, ash) and mineral composition (phosphorus P, sodium Na, calcium Ca, potassium K, magnesium Mg, iron Fe, zinc Zn, cooper Cu, manganese Mn) were determined in both raw and thermally processed muscles. It has been concluded that various methods of heat processing have a significant impact on the energy and nutritional values of meat. From a dietary point of view, the most beneficial was OCR meat without skin, and WBC, OCR, PF meat with skin as well, since it had the lowest energy value as well as content and retention of fat, phosphorus, and sodium. However, as for the content of the other minerals and their retention, WBC seems to be the optimal form of heat treatment of skinless muscles. 100 g of such meat provides 3.1; 33.7; 145; 180 and 9% Nutrient Reference Values-Requirements (NRVs-R) for Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Mn respectively in a diet of an adult person. As for meat with skin, the optimal method of heat processing to retain minerals is grilling. 100 g of meat processed in this way provides 3.9; 39.7; 125.7; 175; 6 and 12.7% NRVs-R of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Mn. It follows from the above information that goose breast meat, as analyzed here, cannot be considered as a source of calcium since it provides less than 4% of NRVs-R. The results of the study will be useful for the consumers’ nutritional choices. The geese breast meat, depending on the heat processing used and the content of skin, may be a valuable component of a varied diet, providing nutrients and minerals.

Effects of Vacuum Frying on the Preparation of Ready-to-Heat Batter-Fried and Sauced Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus)

Chub mackerel (CM) is a commercial fish in Korea, owing to its availability and nutritional values. This study aimed to develop a ready-to-heat (RTH) Korean preparation of CM, known as Godeungo gangjeong. We utilized vacuum frying technology to fry the CM and evaluated its quality. Conventional frying with a deep fryer was performed in parallel to assess the superiority of the vacuum fryer. We optimized the frying conditions of vacuum frying (VBF) and deep frying (DBF) using response surface methodology. At optimum conditions of 95 °C for 7 min 42 s, VBF produced better sensory, chemical, and microbial properties than DBF at 190 °C for 5 min 30 s. The nutritional values, including amino acid and fatty acid contents, were investigated and found to be higher in VBF than in DBF. Sensory properties also showed better scores on VBF than DBF, especially in appearance, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability. The VBF produced lower volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total bacterial count (TBC) than DBF. The findings confirmed that vacuum frying is a better option to produce RTH Godeungo gangjeong, since it provides less oxidation and maintains the product quality. Using the Arrhenius approach, the product was concluded to preserve both quality and safety for 9 months of storage at −18 °C.

Proteomics analysis to investigate the impact of diversified thermal processing on meat tenderness in Hengshan goat meat

During the thermal processing, proteins of Hengshan goat meat undergo structural modifications such as degradation, oxidation and denaturation, ultimately affect the palatability and acceptability. The results of several objective metrics demonstrated that thermal processing exhibited significant impacts on the tenderness of goat meat. The 551, 84, 72, and 121 proteins were identified in the control and thermal processed groups (boiled, steamed, and roasted), respectively. Compared with the control group, the 101, 98, and 109 differentially-expressed proteins were explored in the treatment groups. Furthermore, the functions of metabolic and skeletal muscle proteome were investigated and discussed. Sensory evaluation and proteomics analysis showed that steaming and boiling treatment had no significant effect on the tenderness of goat meat, while roasting significantly reduced the tenderness, indicating that the available thermal processing methods to ensure the tenderness of goat meat were steaming and boiling treatments. Thus, the established proteomics database of goat meat provided the valuable reference for rational selection of thermal processing methods.

Effect of Common Culinary Methods Practiced in Sri Lanka on the Nutrient Composition of Commonly Consumed Vegetables and Other Foods

In Sri Lankan traditional cooking, coconut and spices are incorporated to enhance the taste, flavor, and aroma. However, little attention has been given to assess the effect of these ingredients on the nutritional and chemical composition of the consumed food. The objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of traditional cooking methods on the chemical composition of vegetables, cereals and cereal-based foods, legumes, and selected nonvegetarian food varieties consumed in the daily diet. The results indicate that the addition of coconut milk (CM), coconut scraps, and coconut oil (CO) had a significant impact on the fat content of the prepared foods (p < 0.05). Cooking facilitated the incorporation of fat into food. According to the results, more percentage increases of fat content were observed in tempered string beans (97.51%) and cauliflower milk curry (96.6%). Data revealed that boiling helped to reduce the fat content in cereals and legumes. The cooked foods prepared using traditional recipes with CM, CO, or scraps have higher nutritional content than raw foods and have a significant nourishing potential that meets the daily energy requirements (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that the chemical composition of cooked food serves as a more realistic guideline in recommending dietary interventions in disease and weight management.

Impact of different cooking methods on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rabbit meat

The influence of a variety of cooking methods (poaching, boiling, grilling (charcoal or gas)), frying (pan, deep frying, and stir frying) with a variety of oils (vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, extra light olive oil, and sunflower oil), microwaving, and oven roasting on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) formation in rabbit meat samples was investigated. Meat samples (including three replicates) were prepared without additives or spices. PAHs extraction was carried out by saponification method with potassium hydroxide in methanol which was followed by a silica gel column technique and the samples were quantified by using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). PAHs standards, fluorene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene, acenaphthalene, fluoranthene, and benzopyrene, were used for this study. The other PAHs except fluorene were not observed (detection limit-0.009 µg/g) in all the samples. Among traditional processing techniques, higher PAH contents were observed as a result of frying. Frying with vegetable oil produced higher fluorene content (0.06-0.13 µg/g) in the deep-fried sample, although sesame oil is the best oil which produces lowest PAH contents in fried samples. Among all the processing techniques, lower fluorene (0.01-0.02 µg/g) content was noticed in poaching. Benzo(a)pyrene was not observed in all the investigated samples which is viewed as a reliable strategy of the cooking process for human consumption. After processing, the cooking loss was determined and oven roasting and grilling exhibited greater moisture loss.

Effects of steaming on health-valuable nutrients from fortified farmed fish: Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) as case studies

Fish fortification with iodine-rich macroalgae (Laminaria digitata) and Selenium-rich yeast is expected to promote nutritional added value of this crucial food item, contributing to a healthy and balanced diet for consumers. However, it is not known if steaming can affect these nutrient levels in fortified fish. The present study evaluates the effect of steaming on nutrients contents in fortified farmed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fortified seabream presented enhanced I, Se and Fe contents, whereas fortified carp presented enhanced I, Se and Zn contents. Steaming resulted in increased I and Se contents in fortified seabream, and increased Fe and Zn levels in fortified carp, with higher elements true retention values (TRVs >90%). The consumption of 150 g of steamed fortified seabream contributes to a significant daily intake (DI) of I (up to 12%) and Se (up to >100%). On the other hand, steamed fortified carp contributes to 19-23% of I DI and 30%-71% of Se DI. These results demonstrate that steaming is a healthy cooking method, maintaining the enhanced nutritional quality of fortified fish. Moreover, the present fortification strategy is a promising solution to develop high-quality farmed fish products to overcome nutritional deficiencies.

Nε -carboxymethyllysine and Nε -carboxyethyllysine kinetics and water loss analysis during chicken braising

BACKGROUND

Braised chicken is one of the well-known traditional processed meat products in China. However, reports are scarce with respect to the formation of N^ɛ -carboxymethyllysine (CML) and N^ɛ -carboxyethyllysine (CEL) during chicken braising. Furthermore, braising for a long time and using high-temperature process will result in water loss. However, the relationship between water loss and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) kinetics is limited. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between water loss and kinetics of free and protein-bound CML and CEL in braised chicken under different braising conditions (60-100 °C for 5-60 min).

RESULTS

Levels of free and protein-bound CML and CEL were found to increase with heating time and temperature. The correlation coefficient (r² ) was largest at zero-order reaction (free CML: r² = 0.908-0.954, protein-bound CML: r² = 0.901-0.958, free CEL: r² = 0.952-0.973, protein-bound CEL: r² = 0.959-0.965). The activation energy was 44.158 ± 3.638 kJ mol^-1 for free CML, 40.041 ± 3.438 kJ mol^-1 for protein-bound CML, 40.971 ± 0.334 kJ mol^-1 for free CEL and 40.247 ± 0.553 kJ mol^-1 for protein-bound CEL. Furthermore, with the increase of braising time and temperature, the drip loss and cooking loss also became aggravated. A significant positive correlation between water loss and AGEs levels during braising was observed by Pearson's correlation analysis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the levels of free and protein-bound CML and CEL during braising were different, although they all met zero-order reaction kinetics. Water loss was probably one of the main reasons for the formation of AGEs during chicken braising. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of Culinary Procedures on Nutritional and Technological Properties of Reduced-Fat Longanizas Formulated with Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) or Oat (Avena sativa L.) Emulsion Gel

This paper evaluates how grilling, a traditional culinary procedure for fresh meat products, affects the composition and technological properties of healthy longanizas formulated with chia (Salvia hispanica L.) (C-RF) and oat (Avena sativa L.) (O-RF) emulsion gels (EGs) as animal fat replacers. The use of EGs, regardless of whether they contain chia or oat, improved longaniza performance during cooking as they lost less (p < 0.05) water and fat. The composition of cooked sausages was affected by their formulation, particularly those with chia EG (C-RF) which featured the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid content, mainly due to the higher level of α-linolenic fatty acid (1.09 g/100 g of product). Chia and oat EGs in C-RF and O-RF allow longanizas to be labeled with nutritional and health claims under European law. In general, this culinary procedure increases (p < 0.05) the lightness, lipid oxidation and texture parameters of all samples.

Air frying combined with grape seed extract inhibits Nε-carboxymethyllysine and Nε-carboxyethyllysine by controlling oxidation and glycosylation

Advanced glycation end products (AGE), compounds formed in meat at the advanced stage of Maillard reaction, are easily exposed to thermal processing. Improving cooking condition and adding antioxidants are 2 common ways for AGE reduction. The present work compared the inhibition of grape seed extract (GSE) on levels of free and protein-bound N^ε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and N^ε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL) in chicken breast under deep-frying and air-frying conditions. Efficiency of 5 concentrations of GSE (0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 g/kg) in retarding oxidation, glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO), lysine (Lys), Maillard reaction degree (A₂₉₄, A₄₂₀), and Shiff's base were tested. Results showed that 0.5 g/kg GSE before heating significantly (P < 0.05) reduced AGE in fried breast chicken, whereas excessive supplementation of GSE (0.8 and 1 g/kg) was reverse. Air frying was found significantly (P < 0.05) better than deep frying to reduce the precursor substances (GO, MGO, and Lys) of AGE. In conclusion, GSE-derived polyphenols exhibited different inhibitory effects on oxidation and glycosylation at different concentrations. We found that 0.5 g/kg of GSE combined with air frying was the best recommendation for inhibiting CML and CEL.

Monitoring Thermal and Non-Thermal Treatments during Processing of Muscle Foods: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Technological Advances

Muscle food products play a vital role in human nutrition due to their sensory quality and high nutritional value. One well-known challenge of such products is the high perishability and limited shelf life unless suitable preservation or processing techniques are applied. Thermal processing is one of the well-established treatments that has been most commonly used in order to prepare food and ensure its safety. However, the application of inappropriate or severe thermal treatments may lead to undesirable changes in the sensory and nutritional quality of heat-processed products, and especially so for foods that are sensitive to thermal treatments, such as fish and meat and their products. In recent years, novel thermal treatments (e.g., ohmic heating, microwave) and non-thermal processing (e.g., high pressure, cold plasma) have emerged and proved to cause less damage to the quality of treated products than do conventional techniques. Several traditional assessment approaches have been extensively applied in order to evaluate and monitor changes in quality resulting from the use of thermal and non-thermal processing methods. Recent advances, nonetheless, have shown tremendous potential of various emerging analytical methods. Among these, spectroscopic techniques have received considerable attention due to many favorable features compared to conventional analysis methods. This review paper will provide an updated overview of both processing (thermal and non-thermal) and analytical techniques (traditional methods and spectroscopic ones). The opportunities and limitations will be discussed and possible directions for future research studies and applications will be suggested.

Sanitary quality improvement of fish produced in the northern Benin cotton basin water reservoirs by cage culture and fish transfer in agricultural contaminant-free water: human health implications

Northern Benin water reservoirs may remain valuable resources for fish production if the ecotoxicological risks related to agricultural pesticides are eradicated. The present work was undertaken (i) to evaluate sanitary quality and human health implications of fish (Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus) reared in cages compared with those produced in pens installed in a contaminated water reservoir (Batran) and a reference water reservoir (Songhaï) and (ii) to test the efficacy of fish transferring to water without agricultural contaminants on fish health status. Pathogenic bacteria and pesticide residues were analyzed by phenotypic and biochemical identification and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, respectively. For both species, Aeromonas species occur in fish reared in pens at Batran. In Batran, regardless of infrastructure and species, residues of 4,4'-DDE (Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) (1.4-4.9 μg/kg) and Chlorpyriphos (ethyl) (2.8-12.1 μg/kg) were measured, while only the last molecule was found in C. gariepinus from Songhaï (8.9-8.10 μg/kg). Irrespective of the species in the Batran water reservoir, Chlorpyriphos (ethyl) concentration was higher in cages and lower in pens, while 4, 4'-DDE was more concentrated in fish farmed in pens. Levels of these pesticide residues were well below World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization permissible limits and the risk analyzed indicates no potential adverse health implications in consumption of these fish. Also, fish bacteriological quality was in compliance with the international standards. The fish decontamination approach used herein results in a reduction of the splenic macrophage phagocytic activity in both studied fish species.

Monitoring Thermal Treatments Applied to Meat Using Traditional Methods and Spectroscopic Techniques: a Review of Advances over the Last Decade

Thermal treatments are often applied during processing or preparation of muscle foods aiming to both improve the palatability and organoleptic properties and to ensure the safety of the treated food. However, the application of inappropriate or severe thermal treatments can lead to undesirable changes in the sensory and nutritional quality of heat-processed products, and especially so for foods that are sensitive to thermal treatments, such as meat and meat products. The impact of traditional and new heat processing technologies (e.g. microwaving, ohmic, and radio frequency heating) on meat quality has been widely assessed by a wide range of conventional methods, such as sensory, microbiological, and physicochemical methods. Due to the destructive nature and the time required to perform these assessments, alternative online methods are highly needed in order to achieve continuous monitoring through online applications. In this review paper, both traditional and new heat processing methods and their impact on the quality of meat will be first briefly presented. The methods and techniques that have been applied to monitor changes induced by application of thermal treatments will be then discussed. The main focus will be put on the application of spectroscopic techniques, as rapid and non-destructive methods compared to most conventional techniques. Finally, future trends and possible applications and research directions will be suggested.